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Preview of round three of the A-League this weekend (all times AEST).
FRIDAY
MELBOURNE VICTORY v NEWCASTLE JETS at Telstra Dome, 8pm
Head to head: Melbourne 2, Jets 5, drawn 2
Last meeting: Newcastle 3 bt Melbourne 1 at Telstra Dome, Dec 2007.
TAB Sportsbet: Melbourne $1.68, draw $3.50, Newcastle $4.80
Archie Thompson or no Archie Thompson, the Victory can be lethal. They proved that in last Sunday’s 4-2 win at Wellington, where Danny Allsopp scored a brace and Brazilian strike partner Ney Fabiano another. Thompson will make his return via the bench against the Jets, as he builds towards full fitness after suffering an ankle injury with the Olyroos. He could yet have a fight to win back his place in the starting XI, with Fabiano out to impress again. First-choice goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos also returns from an ankle injury. `Last-minute’ Newcastle have stolen two draws in two weeks. They will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run against the Victory, who they’ve beaten on five of the last six occasions, drawing once. Classy Danish midfielder Jesper Hakansson has overcome a calf injury and is expected to make his league debut for the Jets. Jason Hoffman returns from Young Socceroos duty.
Key: The full 90. Melbourne can’t be content with a one-goal buffer against the never-say-die Jets.
Tip: Melbourne
SATURDAY
ADELAIDE UNITED v WELLINGTON PHOENIX at Hindmarsh Stadium, 7pm
Head to head: Adelaide 2, Wellington 0, drawn 1
Last meeting: Adelaide 2 bt Wellington 1 at Westpac Stadium, Nov 2007.
TAB Sportsbet: Adelaide $1.62, draw $3.72, Wellington $4.95
Defensively frail. Two words that sum up both sides in round two, when they were constantly found out at the back. The Phoenix were tipped as dark horses before season’s start but have stumbled to a draw and a loss – both at home – to start the new campaign. Their first road trip will be a difficult one, with Adelaide set to welcome back Diego, Michael Valkanis and marquee striker Paul Agostino from injury. Adelaide will look to Agostino to step as the club continues to rebuild following the loss of star strike duo Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite to overseas clubs. The Reds also have Daniel Mullen and goalkeeper Mark Birighitti available again from international duty. Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert has received some good news of his own, with Leo Bertos and Leilei Gao returning from injury.
Key: Travis Dodd. The Adelaide captain has two goals in two games, including a beauty in round one. He will again need to lead from the front.
Tip: Adelaide
SUNDAY
SYDNEY FC v PERTH GLORY at Sydney Football Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Sydney 3, Perth 1, drawn 5
Last meeting: Perth 4 bt Sydney 2 at Sydney Football Stadium, Dec 2007.
TAB Sportsbet: Sydney $1.55, draw $3.60, Perth $6.00
What a cracker, Shannon Cole. Can he do it again? Probably, but Sydney will be hoping they won’t have to rely on a 24-year-old set-piece wunderkind to knock over perennial strugglers Perth. This could be a chance for Sydney to assert their so-called A-League superiority, but John Kosmina will again be without striker John Aloisi (foot) and Tony Popovic (hamstring), and Stuart Musialik is suspended. Midfielder Mitchell Prentice returns from suspension to face his former club. Former Perth captain Simon Colosimo will also be out to make a statement against his old side. Both Sydney and Perth put on much-improved performances in round two and will look to continue build momentum. Ivory Coast striker Eugene Dadi was particularly impressive, getting on the scoresheet in the Glory’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle and could take some stopping. Fellow imports Adrian Trinidad and Amaral have shown positive signs, Trinidad also scoring against the Jets.
Key: Cole might have stolen the limelight with his dazzling free kick against the Mariners but Sydney veteran Steve Corica was in very good touch and will again be one to watch.
Tip: Sydney
QUEENSLAND ROAR v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS at Suncorp Stadium, 5pm
Head to head: Queensland 3, Central Coast 1, drawn 5
Last meeting: Queensland 2 bt Central Coast 1 at Suncorp Stadium, Dec 2007.
TAB Sportsbet: Queensland $2.05, draw $3.30, Central Coast $3.35
Queensland have two myths to bust: 1. They’re useless in front of goal. 2. They’re useless at home. Over the last three regular seasons, the Roar have won just nine of 32 games on their own turf, drawing 11 and losing 12. They take on the Mariners on the back of another toothless display up front against Adelaide, where they drew 1-1 despite dominating possession and having nine attempts on target to the Reds’ 1. Their attacking nous will be boosted by the return of 2007-08 sensation Robbie Kruse. The Mariners could consider themselves unfortunate to be on just one point after two games after Cole’s free kick stole the game for Sydney last week, while in round one it was an injury-time penalty for Joel Griffiths which snatched a draw for the Jets. This game will see the first league appearance for superstar goalkeeper Mark Bosnich. New signing Dylan Macallister is set to make his first appearance after shaking off a rib concern. Mile Jedinak returns from a groin injury.
Key: Taking chances. There’s no doubting Queensland’s ability to create, but someone needs to stand up and make the opportunities count.
Tip: Draw
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